EngageNY
Newton’s Law of Cooling
As part of an investigation of transformations of exponential functions, class members use Newton's Law of Cooling as an exponential model to determine temperature based on varying aspects. The resource makes comparisons between...
Noyce Foundation
Measuring Mammals
Explore the meaning of scale and proportion with a set of five activities that examines the topic from elementary through high school. The first lessons explore ratio by examining pictures of different sizes. The next three activities...
LABScI
Acids and Bases: Cabbage Juice pH Indicator
Explore the range of pH using an assortment of household liquids. Scholars create their own pH indicators from cabbage and determine the pH of several liquids. To further their exploration, individuals use the same liquids to create...
5280 Math
Pythagorean Triples
From Pythagorean triples to the unit circle. Learners use the Pythagorean Theorem to find Pythagorean triples and then relate their work to the unit circle in a fun algebra project. Their discovery that x^2+y^2 is always equal to one on...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The War in the North, 1775–1778
Using primary source documents, including maps, learners examine Revolutionary War events from 1775 to 1778. The focus here is on the challenges George Washington and the Continental army faced and how they persevered in spite of those...
Illustrative Mathematics
Sammy's Chipmunk and Squirrel Observations
Here is a fun project. Sammy observes a chipmunk and a squirrel to see how many holes each needs in order to stash the same number of acorns. Scholars could find the answer algebraically or create a table to analyze the...
Illustrative Mathematics
Molly's Run
A simple lesson with a lot of support behind it. Your learners will find out how long it takes Molly to run a mile by choosing their solution method. The activity can be used as a lesson or as an independent assignment. Preface with...
Illustrative Mathematics
Making Hot Cocoa, Variation 2
Learners are introduced to dividing by fractions in a visual way. Setting up groups from the information in the problem allows them to see what we divide and why. Use with the previous lesson, which can be found in Additional Materials,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Walk-a-thon 1
Your mathematician's job is to explore the relationship between hours and miles walked during a walk-a-thon. The activity compels your learners to experiment with different means in finding out this proportional relationship. The answer...
Illustrative Mathematics
Comparing Years
Who knew that the Egyptian, Julian, and Gregorian year were different lengths? Your mathematicians will! They will have to calculate the difference between the years in seconds and find the percent change. Using dimensional analysis,...
Illustrative Mathematics
Fractions on the Number Line
Fractions are a common fear in school, but visualizing them on a number line can help your learners understand their relationship to one another. The activity provides two solutions; use either a number line or a common denominator....
EngageNY
Linear Transformations Applied to Cubes
What do you get when you combine a matrix and a cube? Well that depends on the matrix! Pupils use online software to graph various transformations of a cube. Ultimately, they are able to describe the matrix that is responsible for a...
US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
Curated OER
Children Are...
Pupils apply prior knowledge to various articles, topics, and situations.
Curated OER
Terrible Things
Students reflect on the Holocaust in two lessons. Using prior knowledge, they investigate and make decisions dealing with human behavior before beginning their studies on the Holocaust. After examining different aspects of the event,...
Curated OER
Building Challenges
Young scholars work together to complete different building challenges. They use prior knowledge to build tunnels and different types of bridges. They share their creations with the group.
Curated OER
Using Word Processing to Create Graphic Organizers
Students create a graphic organizer and instructional rubric using word processing software. They conduct Internet research at the History Alive website, and publish an essay.
Curated OER
Reading Between the Lines: Making Inferences About Idioms
Learners discover idioms. In this inferencing lesson, students identify idioms from passages and infer meanings of unknown idioms using prior knowledge and experience. Learners write sentences using newly learned idioms.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Miss Integer Finds Her Properties in Order
Access prior knowledge to practice concepts like order of operations and exponents. Your class can play this game as a daily review or as a warm-up activity when needed. They work in groups of four to complete and correct review problems.
Curated OER
American Flag History
Young historians explore US culture by investigating the US flag. They will use their textbooks, prior knowledge, and sources provided by the teacher to research the history of the American flag. They will design and create a trading...
National Wildlife Federation
Bird Behavior Hike
Bird behaviors have a distinct purpose. Using a tally sheet, learners observe and record different bird behaviors in nature. They practice their observation skills while learning how birds act and why.
NASA
Discovering Some of Your “Yardsticks” Are Actually “Meter-sticks”
The Milky Way gets great reviews on Trip Advisor — 100 million stars. The activity allows scholars to rethink their assumptions and prior knowledge. Pupils observe a set of two lights at equal distance and brightness, but they believe...
Curated OER
Insects and Bugs
Students recognize the difference between insects and bugs while making connections to personal experiences. In this insect and bug lesson, students complete a pre-assessment to demonstrate prior knowledge, then gather information...
Curated OER
Prime Factorization: Finding Factors in the Fifth Grade
The lesson starts out with a brain drain, which is a great way to get students to activate prior knowledge and build lasting connections. They tell everything they know about prime factorization, use their knowledge to...